The unity in the country brought about by these three boys has been miraculous. As a symbol of this unity Unity Quilts Israel was born. This is their message: “Welcome to Unity Quilts! Unity Quilts was created by two friends who are passionate about quilting: Minna and Elisheva. Our goal is to create quilts for the families of Naftali, Eyal and Gil-Ad, using blocks from Jewish quilters across Israel and the world, in the spirit of achdut (unity) that their families inspired.”

This is a venture that speaks to me in a very deep way. I decided to participate and will bring my blocks to Minna later today so they can be included in the quilts for the families of these boys. May they always be remembered.

I would like to mention that this venture has made full circles around the world. I actually heard about it from a friend in Canada, who asked if I knew about the project. I checked it out only to find that it was initiated by women living in the town in which I live in Israel. That is how small the world really is!

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I drive to different spots and am in awe of the beauty around me here. Last week we drove to my son’s army base to pick up his stuff before his release. (He’s out now!!!) We drove through the Negev. The scenery was stark desert and it was spectacular. You could see green patches and lonely trees in the sand where there must be underground springs.

I listened to a lecture recently where the subject was about finding your voice. I am convinced that the nature scenes that surround us in the Holy Land are as spiritual and passionate as it comes. What better medium than to create textured art with vivid colors and depth and dimension? So after much thought and introspection I have come to the same conclusion. I should quilt one-of-a-kind fabric landscapes that evoke the strong emotion I feel for the land around me.

Here I go… On to my next piece with the help of my furry friend Oreo. I’ll let you know when it’s ready. I think I will make smaller wall hangings for awhile and see if they are more accessible.

Bye for now, Cindy

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Dividing the Red Sea

This Passover matzoh cover was inspired by a returning customer looking for a special addition to her Passover table. She asked me to make a cover presenting the dividing of the Red Sea.

I played with blue fabrics to evoke water. I used cheesecloth and loads of thread paint to make the water frothy. I threw in some Angelina fibers for fun and sparkle. I hand sewed small figures of fabric who crossed the revealed water bed. I think it came out well. My Red Sea parted.

The cover has 3 pockets for the 3 matzot. It is quilted and made of fine cotton fabrics and cotton flannel batting to give it a nice drape.

Dimensions:
14″ x 15″ / 36 cm x 38 cm

Hand washable only. Delicate.

Pockets for the matzoh

Israelites are fleeing

Available for purchase via my Etsy shop.

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I decided the best way would be to make a map of the enlarged quilt. Here is a photo of the map I worked up.

Next, I started to put together the strips. When sewing long strips the challenge is to keep everything straight. The longer the strip the more likely the fabric will stretch or that it will be off just a little by the time you reach the bottom. Well, if you do a few strips, that isn’t so bad, but the entire quilt is composed of strips of different widths. I worked painstakingly to keep everything straight. I put sections together, measuring each section to make sure it was even at the top and bottom before attaching it to the next section. Finally I attached all the sections and this is the top I made.

Next I made my quilt sandwich; that’s a top, batting and back. I set it on the dining room table to baste it. I got the usual groans from my family for taking over the table…
Here are some shots of the basted quilt.

Finally I quilted the piece. I have a wonderful sewing machine with lots of bells and whistles, but it is not a long-arm sewing machine. Fitting a quilt this large within the throat of the machine is hard work — hard to manipulate and no small challenge for my back muscles…
Here is a photo of the quilted and bound wall hanging. I’m really happy with the result. The buyer has just sent me payment and I will mail it to her in the US today! I sent her photos along the way and she is very excited. She promised me she would take a photo of the quilt once it is hung on her wall.

P.S. This is the message I received from my happy customer:
“Your amazing piece of artwork arrived 5 minutes ago!!! It is safe and gorgeous!!!! I will hopefully have it hanging tonight!!! I will email you a picture. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you!!! I’ll be in touch.”
So rewarding when people are happy with my work.

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Kibbutz Shluhot and Mt. Gilboa

I submitted a quilt for this exhibit and my work was exhibited. I based the quilt on a view of the fields of Kibbutz Shluhot, showing Mt. Gilboa in the background in Emek Beit Shean. I think the view from Kibbutz Shluhot is beautiful and it reminded me of almost 30 years ago when I volunteered on the carrot factory on Kibbutz Shluhot and lived on Kibbutz Maaleh Gilboa. I tried to convey the quiet and serenity of the scene in my quilt.The quilt has a three-dimensional quality, that makes you feel you are entering the scene.

A journalist visited the exhibit and did a short video about some of the quilts that were exhibited and won prizes. The video also discusses the Israel Quilters Association. It’s very nicely done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWghctfSqig&feature=share

The exhibit may be shown again in another locality in Israel. I will keep you posted!

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I am thinking about how to best quilt it: maybe cobblestones? maybe ridges? I’m not sure. Also I’ve asked my friend Phyllis Cullen what she thinks about the shadows on the path. In a class I took with Phyllis last year, I remember she said the bottom of the path should be darker than the top so the path doesn’t appear to stand up.

More to come! Meanwhile, what do you think?

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This is the first of a series of Kinneret quilts I am planning. I think this part of the country is beautiful and I have tried to convey this in my quilt. I hope you too can appreciate the countryside by peering into the waters of my work. I used numerous fabrics to depict the rocks and mountains.

Dimensions: 19″w x 15″h / 48cm x 38.5cm

Available at my Etsy shop. Visit soon!

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I thought I narrowed it down, but I just don’t know. I am now adding a duck and a crab to the list. The crab is amazing! Maybe that’s the one? I already had a bird, a turtle and a cat in a bowl.

So far I have heard from two people. They say the cat and the bird are good choices. Thanks for responding, Amy and Lynn!

What do you think??? It should be endearing and catch the eye. And, I should still be able to create it in fabric. More comments, anyone?

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